Decoy Research

I don't necessarily agree they were made by the same carver, but east coast guys and knowledgeable collectors (I love old decoys and have been lucky enough to handle a bunch of good ones, but I do not consider myself knowledgeable enough to have more than a personal opinion) would be able to tell better than me.

While the heads look similar, some of the subtle differences could be caused by different periods of the same carver, or carvers from the same area using similar patterns. I can get easily confused between Mitchell and Joiner decoys, cause I don't collect them and haven't handled a bunch of them, and both have a lot of similarities to those by their predecessors on the Chesapeake Bay, like Heverin and the Hollies.

No matter what the truth is according to experts, one thing I can tell you is this, those are a bunch of classy heads, and they'd make great patterns for some antique style decoys............

Mike
 
Thanks Mike, I fill in the details later with pics of the bodies, and where they are attributed or documented to.
 
This guy lives not far from me and does free ID and evaluations ,,he is a researcher,author ans appraiser ,,although he is in Canada he may be able to help,,,his name is Steve Lloyd 613 922 7000 or check his website www.decoyinfo.com ,,,good luck,,,Chuck
 
More info may help. Two may be by the same maker, but I don't think all are. Thats a very distinctive style Canvas back head. Very good work, no mater where they are from. May not be East coast....... Time to get out - All the Books & Decoy auction cataloges. No doubt therein lies the answer. GOOD LUCK.
 
the reason I posted the pic without bodies is these style heads are found on three types of bodies. To me all three heads are the same maker just over time. Bodies are quite different. I theorize this because all these decoys pictured below are attributed to Lake Koshkonong. The single pic, the owner posted on a blog, that the decoy was bought at edgerton WI, decoy show, but all experts say its to finely carved for WI. The other pics are two seperate rigs, a few decoys in each rig have known Koshkonong characterics or a documented carver. Koshkonong decoys are not known for being finely carved, in fact heads tend to be very crude.

Koshkonong was considered the "Chesapeake of the West" before 1900, and hunters traveled from all over to hunt the lake. Clubs had memberships lists that were reflected it as well. There was an article in Decoy Mag in 2007, attemping to tie Chesapeake Carvers to Koshkonong decoys. I think it was more than that, I think Koshkonong decoys are a eclectic mix of styles from all over at that time. Local carvers would get example from other regions and have local guys copy or use as a tempate. Which is why you see upper bay decoys in these rigs decoy 1, decoy 5 to me has a MI style to it. I am trying to answer was this head carver local, or where the heads mail order and put on local bodies, or inspired from some other region. To me this carver was truly talented in a area and time when it was rare.

View attachment decoys 052-005.JPG

View attachment decoys rube goldburg 01.JPG

View attachment 1-DSC00813-001.JPG
 
Doing research on some decoys. Would you agree all heads pictued below where made by the same carver, over a period of time possiby? Anyone recognize a particular region in the head style? Time period? or Carver?

Thanks
Click to expand...


Is there a term to describe the bill as carved in the original pics 3-5 where the junction is carved as if the bill was set on the bird vs. original pics 1&2 where the junction is cut in (as what I consider typical and more realistic)? I see the 3-5 style in cans, mostly.

When I first read this post I was thinkin 1&2 may be related, but not with 3-5 because of this feature. I really like the original pic 2 for an old timey head.
 
Last edited:
I look at those 6 Cans.........and see at least 3 different carvers, maybe more. As for the last decoy with screw eye in the breast, looks like a Wing Duck..............

One thing for Sure, thats one Fine group of historic Decoys!
 
I don't know whats its called, but the Bill "on" the head is common in upper bay carving. I would agree head #2 nice. Not being an expert on other regions carvng at that time(1900 +/- 20yrs) but that is some of the more reallistic carving I have seen on a gunning decoy from that time period. Ben Dye and John Graham (upper bay) had there peak but doesn't rival that bird. I see the eye channels, elongated head, and pinching of bills as all common through the heads with some variation. variation could be evolution of the carver as well as bill "on" or "in". Along with decoys 1,2,5,8, and 10. Here are more examples of typical more common Koshkonong heads.

View attachment 1-koshkonong.jpg
 
I think in discussing the info you have to date on these decoys, you may have answered your own question.

The heads, without a view of the bodies, really looked like East Coast heads to me. When you showed the bodies, then I got a bit confused, as some had east coast lines, others do not.

I often found, when searching for decoys in Illinois, 6 or more unpainted, well done, decoy heads, made by the same unknown maker, sitting with a bunch of crude decoys. One older guy told me that his dad had ordered heads from makers/carvers/suppliers to have on hand to replace heads that broke off. Having heard that, I watched as I picked over repainted and beat up decoys and saw matches of those unpainted heads on non-descript bodies by other makers. I had no use for them at the time, and sold most of the old, unpainted heads I found to Dave Frier, who used them to "fix" old woooden decoys that he stripped, repainted, and stained to sell in his antique shop and at decoy shows. Maybe one or more of your heads are of this type of origin, but most seem to be made for the decoys they are found on, matching the bodies pretty well.

Relatedly, decoy collectors have proven an east coast connection for decoys found in several midwestern gunning locations, especially premier ones that had monied members and/or members who traveled from the Easst Coast to hunt. Those decoys did influence local makers, and you can end up with local decoys that blend east coast and local styles....

But this is the great part of collecting decoys to me, all the unknown and untold stories, even after all these years.....
 
I agree, bodies I was more at 4-5 different carvers. decoy 5 interestly has a Koshkonong wieght, but has a painted brand J.B.F that is listed in the Decoy brand book, being found on a Nate Quillen decoy. Could be lots of J.B.F. intails out there but both decoys should date to same time period.

It is a hodgepodge of decoys, that all share certain characterisics, but also are so different.
 
Your right, upper bay decoys, have many styles of reheads. most either put there own style on without concern for fit. or if the orginal carver was reheading then the head woud fit better but coud still see it was exact. All 5 of these heads fit the decoys they are on nicely, with some variation on the head base to match the body. I propose that their was a head maker nearby that people bought heads from and finished off their own decoy with this guys heads. Because all 5 heads have much more realistic lines that all the other Koshkonong examples I have posted combined.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top